Nature Sketch - A poem about the twelve apostles in Victoria, Australia

Gazing in awe I stood in rapture

At the wondrous sight mine eyes captured

Beholding its panorama – what beauty!

Away my breath it took with its majesty.

My numbed senses were hereupon thrilled

Heightened still as the southern winds chilled

Which had then teased and ruffled my hair

Now induced shivers without much care.

O could mere words ever suffice to define

The enchantment of this spectacle so fine

Which hath once resided in my dreams –

A realm where the silent sentries reign.

            *          *          *          *

IFor the full poem, click here to check out my book.)

(Poem written by Jimmy Tan around 1995-1996)

Deafening Silence

Silence gives me words to write,
Exploring its hollow voice,
its impalpable implications.

My voice, jarring to my ears
In the midst of stillness
That mocks at me,
Leaves me mystified
baffled
confounded
Deepens my embitterment
confusion
unease

A word could speak several things.
Silence speaks uncountables,
unmentionables,
Drowning the sea of words
With its deafening turmoil.

(Written around 1996-97)

1 Corinthians 13 - Rearranged as a concrete poem

The following poem is adapted from the New King James version of the New Testament in the Holy Bible.

                               Love suffers                   long and is

                                       kind; love does not       envy; love does not

                                   parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave

                             rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks

                             no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the

                        truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,

                       endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are

                            prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues,

                              they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will

                                 vanish away. For now we see in a mirror, dimly,

                                         but then face to face. Now I know in part,

                                             but then I shall know just as I also am

                                                     known. And now abide faith,

                                                          hope, love, these three;

                                                                 but the greatest

                                                                       of these is

                                                                            love.